Former England opener Geoff Boycott felt the current team had been "murdered" by Australia as the defence of the Ashes ended in a humiliating 5-0 whitewash for Duncan Fletcher's men.

The Yorkshire legend accused the current team of a lack of mental toughness after they completed the five-Test series with a 10-wicket loss in Sydney today.

While the outspoken Boycott had expected a series defeat, he was stunned by the extent of the loss.

"It's one hell of a beating, isn't it? They have just been murdered," said Boycott.

"Quite frankly, they were totally outplayed. Whenever the questions were being asked of England, they have faltered and they have not been mentally strong enough or technically good enough to hold the Australians at bay.

"They have just bottled it."

Former England captain Mike Gatting, the last man to skipper an England side to Ashes victory in Australia in 1987, felt the side's lack of adequate preparation and a poor start meant Andrew Flintoff's side were never likely to retain the urn.

Gatting said: "I think they will know now what it's like to play against a side that's ready to start a Test match as opposed to a side that might not have been."

Asked whether the main problem was England's lack of warm-up matches, Gatting added: "Definitely. That is the only thing I can put my finger on. They are good players, but they weren't ready."

Former England captain Ian Botham said: "I don't think some of the bowlers bowled enough - that's why we were undercooked and under-prepared."